Weather experts predict dry conditions up to February

Weather experts predict dry conditions up to February

KAMPALA .Although some areas are currently receiving some rainfall at a time it is expected to be dry, metrologists have predicted that most parts of the country will experience dry spells through the month of February.

According to weather experts, this condition is as a result of slightly warmer than average Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) which are expected to continue towards the end of January.

“Overall, the forecast indicates that most parts of the country are expected to remain sunny and dry over January and February,” said Mr Micheal S.Z Nkalubo, the commissioner for meteorology in a statement yesterday .

However, Mr Nkalubo said a few areas around Lake Victoria basin and south western districts of Kabale, Kisoro and Kanungu are expected to experience occasional light to moderate rainfall during this same period.

Normally, January to February is usually a dry season which gives farmers an opportunity to open up their gardens in preparation for the first rainy season starting March. Due to poor rainfall distribution between September –December last year, many farmers especially those in the central, western regions planted late, thus recording poor harvests.

According to the weather outlook for January –February, the eastern region is likely to experience generally dry conditions up to February although occasional light to moderate rains are expected to be experienced in  isolated places . Apart from Kampala, Kalangala and Wakiso which will experience occasional light to moderate rains, other areas in the Central and the Lake Victoria basin region will generally be dry. The same weather conditions will also be experienced in West while the Northern region will be generally be dry.

The negative potential impacts of the forecasted poor rainfall distribution for January-February include; poor crop performance, reduced pasture and water for animals and shortage of poor food production and supply in some areas.

Uganda has two major rain seasons (March-May) and (September –December) but due to climate change, the rainfall these days delays and fall unexpectedly.

Last year, government doubted the meteorological department’s ability to predict weather patterns, saying it needed to be strengthened.

Other potential impacts for forecasted weather conditions:

    .High temperatures especially during the day may give rise to heat waves, which is a potential health risk

·        There is an increased likelihood of problems associated with dust and dust storms in some areas especially Karamoja region as a result of dry conditions

·        In some areas irrigation can be used for short maturing crops like vegetables

·        Land preparation is encouraged in order to utilise the long rains of March to May 2014

Drama as councilors vote out Lukwago

NOV. 25 ,2013

Drama as councilors vote out Lukwago

   

KAMPALA. Controversy and drama yesterday rocked  the process to kick out city lord mayor Erias Lukwago who was eventually impeached by a 29 -3 majority vote .

Despite an early morning court order by High Court Registrar  Fred Waninda halting the process , Kampala Minister Frank Tumwebaze who called the meeting an hour earlier than scheduled  ,went ahead and asked the councilors to vote on the matter .

Three  councils- Sulaiman Kidandala (deputy lord mayor) ,Shifrah Lukwago(DP) and Aidah Nakuya(NRM)voted against the motion .Joseph Mujuzi Lwanga abstained while Bumali Mpindi was absent with apology .

The voting which lasted for about 10 minutes was done by a show of hands .The meeting took 30minutes and out of the seven items on the agenda, five were tackled. The two items that  were ignored included; discussing the tribunal report and a brief from the lord mayor or his representative.

The motion to kick out Lukwago was moved by Baker Sserwamba (NRM)and seconded by Hawa Ndege Namugenyi (FDC) ,Adam Kasiim Kyazze(NRM) and Joyce Achan(NRM). Most of the councilors entered city hall as early as 7am and by 8:45am when the meeting started ,majority were already in their seats .

However, drama erupted in the middle of the council proceedings when councilor leaped up and demanded to make  a point of order  but the minister ignored it .This prompted councilor Allan Ssewanyana Ssewanyana  to shout ‘order’ , ‘order’  to draw the attention of Tumwebaze that there was   a court injunction restraining council from impeaching Lukwago . Ssewanyana lost his cool and moved in front where Tumwebaze was seat and stepped on the table in protest .As a way of trying to restore  order in the council hall, plain-clothed security operatives pounced on Ssewanyana and in the process, the latter sustained injuries on his neck. Kidandala later moved a point of procedure which was granted and read the court order .But  Tumwebaze still ignored this saying , though the court order was signed it had no official seal  “ As far as I know , there is no court order ,” the minister told the meeting . Tumwabaze said after the voting that Lukwago had 21 days to challenge the verdict.

“ At times it is hard to take hard decisions but it could be an order. I appeal to you (councilors ) to guide this legal process. I will seek guidance from the Attorney General for the next course of action .I thank you very much. The assembly is closed ,” he said

Outside the council hall, more drama was also unfolding at the main entrance. Here, Lukwago’ lawyer Abdullah Kiwanuka who was armed with another copy of the court order tried to fight his way into the council hall  but Police officers with the help of plain clothed security operatives under the command of Police boss for Kampala Metropolitan- South James Ruhweza blocked him. He made two more attempts –but all failed. “Kill me if you want but I am here to serve the minister with a court order ,” Kiwanuka shouted as four plain clothed security operatives pounced on him and confiscated the court order. In the ensuing melee ,Kiwanuka’s shirt got torn as security  operatives carried him around City hall compound and later bundled him unto a waiting police pick-up truck  at the main gate. A police officer only identified as Ntugwa  said Kiwanuka was blocked on account that he “could cause chaos” in the hall.

“ If we tell you to wait ,you have to wait .Delivering a court order is not an emergency .Wait for just five minutes,” he said

“ It is quite absurd   that all has been done in total disregard of  the law . We are ex- officio members of this Authority council but hooligans have hijacked the whole process and denied us access,”   said Kawempe North MP Latif Ssebaggala who was in the company of Ken Lukyamuzi (Rubaga South)and Ssebuliba Mutumba(Kawempe South). A section of journalists who were accredited to cover the meeting but were deemed to be ‘unfriendly’ were also blocked.

Despite having police escorts, anti-Lukwago councilors failed to leave city hall and by press time they were still in the council hall

List of councilors who supported motion to kick out Lukwago:

Daudi Lwanga (NRM)

Baker SSerwamba (NRM)

 Sarah Muwayire (NRM)

Emmy Barbirye(NRM)

Apollo Mugume (NRM)

Daria Nanyange (NRM)

Joyce Achan(NRM)

Hope Tumushabe (NRM)

 Adam Kasiim Kyazze (NRM)

Elijah Owobusingye (NRM)

Madinah Nsereko (NRM)

Hamidah Namukasa (NRM)

 Bernard Luyiga(DP)

John Muwanguzi  (NRM)

Margret  Tumwesigye (NRM)

Adam Kibuuka (NRM)

Godfrey Asiimwe (NRM)

Alfred Ntambazi (NRM)

Bruhan Byaruhanga (Independent)

Verna Mwinganisa Mbabazi(Independent )

Eng.Karuma Kagyina(Independent )

Dr Denson Nyabwana (Independent )

Frank Kanduho(Independent)

Angella Kigonya(DP)

Zahara Luyirika (DP)

Margret Kikyowa (DP)

Henry Lukwago (FDC)

Hawa Ndege Namugenyi(FDC)

Votes against motion

1- Aidah Nakuya(NRM)

2- Sulaiman Kidandala(DP)

3- Shifrah Lukwago(DP)

 1-Joseph Mujuzi Lwanga(DP)(abstained due to ill health )

Absent :

1-Allan Ssewanyana (independent) (locked out over alleged misconduct)

2-Mpindi Bumali (NRM)(absent with apology)

‘Errant DP members return home’

‘Errant DP members return home’

KAMPALA. Democratic Party errant members, who fell out with president Norbert Mao  have accepted to return to the main fold to rejuvenate the party ahead of the 2016 general elections .

The members, mostly youth under the party’s wing –the Uganda Young Democrats said they had buried their hatchets and promised to participate in all party activities .

“ These differences have greatly affected our party to the extent that many members no longer greet each other . Let us start a new chapter and leave our differences behind for the good of the party,” said Sulaiman Kidandala ,the deputy city lord mayor.

Kidandala ,who also doubles as DP national organizing secretary has together with other DP members including MPs not stepped at the party headquarters for the last three years because of failure to agree with Mr Mao’s leadership style . Last year, Kidandala was part of the UYD members who went against Mr Mao’s directive and elected new UYD leaders, something the party top leadership interpreted as insubordination.

Buikwe South MP Dr Lulume Bayiga said: “ There is time to throw stones and time for reconciliation . We commend party leaders for extending this olive branch to us ,”

The party members made the announcement at the weekend during an end of year party organised by DP leadership in Rubaga Division .

At the same function , members also tasked their leaders to start laying groundwork for the 2016 general elections which includes;reorganising party structures and amending the 1954 DP constitution. An insider intimated to Daily monitor that the decision by the group to return to the main  fold is simply a political strategy to gain ground to fight Mao whom they believe has failed to steer the party. Mao ,who stood for presidency in 2011 ,garnered 1.9 percent against Museveni’s 69 percent .  

Last year ,warring DP factions –one led by Mr Mao and another by party spokesperson Kenneth Kakande and urged them to bury their hatchets and work for the good of the party .

The elders, who met the group at Pope Paul Hotel in Ndeeba ,a city suburb were reportedly concerned that the expulsion threats earlier issued by Mr Mao against some party members could prompt  them to defect to other parties like it has been in the past.

Mr Mao has severally maintained that DP is   a strong party  which follows the rule of law and cannot be held at ransom by “a handful of individuals” who he said were pushing for selfish interests. A source told this reporter that Mao has of late fell out with a section of his executive ,with him and DP legal advisor Mukasa Mbidde on one side and another camp led by Mathias Nsubuga , the party secretary general on the other. Nsubuga’s camp reportedly wants to front Bayiga for DP president in the next delegates conference against Mao .

 DP legal advisor, Denis Mukasa Mbidde,who represented Mr Mao at the function welcomed the group ,saying everyone is needed to create a formidable political force to unseat the NRM .

“Our members must know that internal bickering benefits nobody and it defeats the spirit of unity .We all need each other and  if we are to fight Museveni’s dictatorship ,we must be united ,”he said

DP, the county’s oldest party has lived a fighting life, battling with both internal and external challenges. Critics say if the current disagreement is not properly resolved could lead to further divisions in   the party. DP has suffered high level defections than any other party in the country over the years and some of the politicians currently in the ruling NRM were once DP members.

Poor performance :schools set to maintain year’s S.1 cut-off points

Poor performance :schools set to maintain  year’s  S.1 cut-off points 

AL-MAHDI SSENKABIRWA

assenkabirwa@ug.nationmedia.com

KAMPALA. Due to a reported decline in performance at the distinction and credit levels in last year’s PLE exams, top schools in Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono and other major municipalities that performed well are likely to maintain last year’s  cut-off points for Senior One entrants .

Traditional well performing schools like Kings College Budo,  Mt. St. Mary's Namagunga, Namilyango College, St. Mary's College Kisubi, Kibuli SS and Gayaza High among others, their cut- off points are expected to be competitive between Aggregate 4   for boys and 5 for girls as it was last year. This will be driven by the overwhelming number of candidates seeking admission . But other schools that perform well but don’t fall in the top 50 category ,are expected to  relax the entry points.

According to 2013 PLE results released Friday , of the 494,839 candidates who passed the exams , only  52,786 passed in Division One ,representing 9.4 percent .This indicates a reduction  in the number of candidates passing in Division One by 6,368 compared to  59,154 in 2012. Another 247,507 passed in Division Two ,125,292 in Division Three and 68,554 in Division Four while 86,604 completely failed .

All candidates who scored above aggregate 28, and are totaling 86,604 do not qualify for government sponsorship under secondary fee education scheme which is going into the eighth year of its implementation. A primary Seven candidate is deemed to have passed the exams if he/she garners between 4-28 aggregates.

They can only join private institutions. Usually, government schools take all students with aggregate between  4 to 28. The ministry of education after the release of the results on Friday that the 2013 Senior One cutoffs will be made public next week at selection exercise to be conducted at Wonder World Kansanga , Kampala between February 7 - 8.

Most school heads talked to couldn’t give what they project to be their cut-offs ,saying it was premature since government had not processed the computer sheets reflecting their cut-off marks.

“ It will be a lie to say that this is our cut-off  now for this year  because they are determined by  the ministry and  we are simply at  the receiving end but performance is a big determinate in this ,” said Mr Micheal Mpiima , head teacher Ssaku SS-Wobulenzi  

Ms Mary Elogu  , the mother to  Isaac Elogu , a former pupil of Naalya Hillside P/S  who scored aggregate 4 said the latter put St Mary’s College –Kisubi  as his first choice but if he fails to get admitted ,she will instead try Namilyago College  .

Due to a slight decline in performance in 2011 , many schools maintained the 2010  entry points or lowered  their cut-off mark   .
The first term for continuing students opens Monday   while Senior One students will report on February 24, according to the education ministry.

Last year, a total of  316,980 candidates were selected to join Senior One out of the 880,067 who were eligible . Of these, 20 per cent were from non-Universal Primary Education schools.

This means that at least   113,455 students missed admission despite having garnered the required aggregate for admission.

In 2011, a total a total of   275,990 students were selected to join Senior One, compared to 390,000 in 2010 while in  2009  the number was 320,860  .

How cut-off marks are determined:
 Cut-off points for any given school are determined by the ministry of education basing on the number of candidates who sat for the exams . The Ministry sets the cut-off points using an automatic computised  system that allocates students according to general performance ,first choice preference of pupils but school can also wriggle out of the maximum depending on the facilities  at has and students  who choose it as first choice.
The rest, even if they fall in the bracket of admissibility are ‘sold’ to other schools during selection exercise .

Provisional Cut-off points for selected schools per region
CENTRAL REGION
SCHOOL	BOYS	GIRLS
Kings College,Budo	4	5
St Mary's College-Kisubi	5	0
Mt. St. Mary's Namagunga		5
Gayaza High School		5
Kibuli SS	6	7
WESTERN REGION
Ntare School	6
Mary Hill High School		6
Kigezi High School	7	8
Bweranyangi Girls SS		8
St Leo's Kyegobe	8
NORTHERN REGION
Lango College	12
St Charles Lwanga,Koboko	19
St Joseph's College ,Ombachi	13
Kotido SS	28	28
EASTERN REGION
Busoga College , Mwiri	8
Wanyange Girls		10
Nabumali High School	11	13
Teso College Aleot	12
St. Peter's College,Tororo	11

SCHOOL	BOYS	GIRLS
St Paul's College Mbale	12                13
St Maria Goretti Katende		8
St M Kalemba SS Kayunga	12	10
Namilyango College	5
Nyakasura School	10	11
Kyebambe Girls		10
Bishop Kivengyera Girls		14
St Mary's College Rushoroza	8	10
Kigezi College Butobere	19
Masaka SS	9	10
Kyeizooba Girls		9
Kibubura Girls		12
St Paul's SS Bukinda	19	20
Kamonkoli College Budaka		15
Kinoni Girls		14
Kashaka Girls		12
Mityana SS		16
Gombe SS	7	8
MaryHill HS		7
Mbarara HS	7
Makerere College	6	7
Kinyasano Girls Rukungiri		12
Bugwere HS Budaka	13	15
Budini SS Kaliro		15
Trinity College Nabbingo		6
St Aloysius College Nyapea Nebbi	25	25
Muntuyera High School	8
St Peters Nsambya	8	9
Bwogyera Girls S Ntungamo		15
Christ the King Kalisizo Rakai		11
Kisoko HS Tororo	17	18
St Peters College Tororo	10
Kinaawa High-Mugongo	13	13
Ssaku SS	14	14
Our Lady of G C		8
Immaculate Heart Nyakibala		8
St Peters College Tororo	11
Baptist HS Kitebe	15	15

Schools raise Senior One fees as reporting date nears

Schools raise Senior One

fees as reporting date nears

KAMPALA. Parents across the country will have to dig deeper into their pockets after several schools announced increments in Senior One school fees for the new   term to cater for the rising cost of food and other commodities.

Many schools say the increasing cost of school necessities; especially food prices have prompted the adjustments.

The fees adjustments vary in the different schools from Shs15,000 to Shs50,000 while others made an increment of Shs100,000. For example, Teso College  - Aloet

, each fresh Senior One  student will pay Shs800,000 this  term ,down from  Shs750,000 the school charged last year, indicating a Shs 50,000 increment, while Primary Seven leavers joining  Gayaza High School, are required to report with Shs1.2m from Shs1m paid last year , an increment of Shs200,000.

The increase in fees in not only felt in secondary schools; even primary ones have done the same. For example, A Primary One entrant at Budo Junior School will pay Shs1.3million while St. Savio Primary School in Kisubi is charging Shs2.7million including other requirements.

According to Mr Micheal  Mpiima, the head teacher at Ssaku SS –Wobulenzi, the exorbitant extra  fees are meant to cater for  increasing costs of uniform and other essential utilities like electricity. “The cost of commodities usually determines what we charge and we cannot do much about it, ”he said.

 

Prices of scholastic materials like chalk, paper and food (posh) usually go up whenever the new term is about to open due to high demand in schools but supply remains static.  A kilogramme of beans goes for Shs1800, up  from Shs1600 last year.

However, Mr Ali Sserugo, the head teacher Kinaawa High School-Kyengera said they had maintained last year’s fees of Shs730,000 for Senior Ones due to the bad economic environment in the country.

“We would have wished to increase our fees like other colleagues but the community we serve is poor and they have to take their children to school. If our   government can subsidise some of essential school items, there will be no justification for fees increment in schools where it has occurred,” he said

Mr Francis Agula, the commissioner government secondary schools said: “We (education ministry) put in place a guideline whenever a school wants to increase schools fees must write to us. Most schools are in budgetary process and they will write to us to approve their fees. Senior One and five fees normally looks high because of uniforms, sport wares,” Mr Agula said.

He also blamed parents who don’t attend school budgetary meetings to have an input in the process.

With the increase in fees coupled with projected stiff cutoff point in top schools, parents are likely to face a difficult time in securing placements where they put their first choice.

The government has always warned schools against raising fees before they get clearance from the Education ministry, but very few seek such authorisation.

 Of the 582,085 candidates who sat for 2013 PLE, a total of 498,839 are eligible to join Senior One down from 480,067 in 2012 .But this will happen after the selection exercise slated for February 7-8 at Wonder World Amusement Park, Kansanga in Kampala where schools choose which number of students they will take considering the capacity of the facilities they have. Senior One entrants report on February 24.

Fees at selected schools

Dr Obote College,Boroboro

From Shs 650,000 last year to Shs700,000

Gayaza High School

From Shs1m last year to Shs1.2m

Teso  College, Eloet

From Shs 700,000 to  Shs 800,000

St Mary’s College-Kisubi

Shs 1.3million

Merry Land High Sch

Shs 755,000

Kitende SS

Shs 550,000

Ntare School-Mbarara

Shs 1.3m from Shs 1.260,000 last year

Masaka SS

Shs 735,000  from Shs725,000 last year    

Kings College,Budo

Senior One fees: Shs830,000

Gombe SS –Butambala

Fees for Senior One entrants: Shs1million

St. Henry’s College-Kitovu

Shs900,00 from Shs 850,000

Kyambogo College

Shs 401,400

Ndejje SS

Shs 1.5million

Namirembe Hillside

Shs1million

Deluxe International School –Lweza

$2600 ( about Shs 6.5m)

Kinaawa High School

Shs 730,000

Nabumali High School

Senior One fees : Shs750,000

Gombe SS

Shs 1million

Budini SS

Shs 700,000

Maryhill High School-Mbarara

Fees for Senior One entrants: Shs890, 000

Kisibi Seminary

Senior One fees : Shs 700,000

Kitante High School

Senior One fees : Shs 400,000

Bishop Cipriano  Kihangire School

Senior One fees: Shs700,000

St Mary’s College-Kisubi

Senior One fees: 1.8million

Trinity College, Nabbingo

Senior One fees: Shs780,000

Kyambogo College School

Fees for Senior One entrants: Shs 355,000

Deluxe International School –Lweza

Year 8 entrants: $2420 (about  Shs 6.4million)

  

Mengo Senior Schools

Senior One fees: Shs 658,500

Kawempe Muslim SS

School One fees: Shs I million 

Makerere College School

School One fees: Shs 658,500

Muntuyera High School Kitunga- Ntungamo

Senior One fees : Shs 800,000

Busoga college Mwiri

Senior One fees: Shs900 000

Bweranyangi Girls SS- Bushenyi

Senior One fees : Shs800,000

Namilyago College:

Senior One fees and other school necessities: Shs I million

St Henry’s College ,Kitovu

Senior One fees: Shs704,000 and adding  costs of other basic school requirements it might climb to Shs 900,000

Mbarara High School-Mbarara

Senior One fees : Shs 1million 

Continuing students : Shs 700,000

Kiira College,Butiki

Senior One fees : Sh614 000

Kabale Secondary School-Kabale

Senior One fees : Shs 77,500.

Jinja Progressive Academy

Senior One fees: Sh235 000 (day scholars) , Shs487, 000(  boarding section).

St Michael International School, Wakiso

Senior One fees: Shs300,000( day) , Shs 520,000(boarding )

St. Augustine’s College-Wakiso

Senior One fees: Shs400,000 (day), Shs 700,000(boarding )  

St Joseph’s College, Layibi

Senior One Fees : Shs680, 000

St Leo’s ,Kyegobe

Senior One Fees : Shs 700,000

London College-Nansana

Senior One fees: 260,000(day) ,Shs 600,000(boarding)

Bukoyo SS

Senior One fees :  Sh580 000

Bweyogerere SS

Senior One fees: 120,000( day), Shs350,000 (boarding )

St Peters Nsambya

Senior One fees :  456000 (Day), Shs780,000 (boarding)

Uganda Martyrs College, Sonde

Senior One fees : Shs550,000(boarding), Shs Shs252,500(day)

Blessed Sacrament Secondary School

Senior One fees: Shs190,000(day scholars), Shs 396,000 ( boarders)

 Sir Samuel Baker School

Senior One fees : Sh350,000

M M College, Wairaka

Senior One fees : Sh485,000

Kitgum High School,

Senior One fees : Shs310, 000

Bwongyera Girls ,Ntungamo

Senior One fees : Shs 508,000

Bukandula College, Gomba

Senior One fees: 300,000

 Y.Y Okot Memorial College

Senior One fees : Shs250, 000 including school uniform.

Kyebambe Girls School

Senior One fees : Shs 660,000.

Nyakasura School

Senior One fees: Shs 700,000 including all school requirements

King Faisal Islamic SS-Mityana

Senior One fees Shs 247,000 (boarding ) ,Shs90,000 (day)

Mbogo Mixed SS

Senior One  fees: Shs552,000

Christ the King SS Bulinda-Kalisizo

Senior One entrants: Shs800, 000.

Iganga SS

Senior One fees : Shs500 000

Rubaga Girls

Senior One fees: Shs 770,000

Mityana SS

Senior One fees: Shs 190,000(day), Shs385, 000(boarding)

Other school requirements, Shs 500,000

Kawanda SS

Senior One fees: Shs500, 000 (boarding) ,Shs250,000( day)

Uganda Martyrs –Namugongo

Senior One fees: Shs830, 000

Kasawo Islamic School

Senior One fees: Shs 120,000 (day) ,Shs 300,000( boarding)

St. Elizabeth SS-Nkoowe

Senior One fees : Shs 132,500(day) ,Shs Shs452,000( boarding)

Mbogo High Sch-Kawempe

Senior One fees: Shs740,000

St Charles Lwanga Kasasa SS

Senior One fees: Shs567, 000

Kakungulu Memorial SS

Senior One fees: Shs 750,000

Our Lady of Pilgrims Bukulula Girls

Senior One fees: Shs380,000

Mityana SS

Senior One fees: Shs190,000(day),Shs385,000 (boarding )